Retrievable parallel string well packer



June 18, 1963 w. D. MYERS RETRIEVABLE: PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 3, 1959 1N VEN TOR.

2a MIJ/QM MYERS fgg BY www rrofewsys.

June 18, 1963 w. D. MYERS RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. I5. 1959 INVENTOR. W/.L/HM MYERS A Trae/vs Ys.

nu? l r ggg June 18, 1963 w. D. MYERS 3,094,168

RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER Filed Aug. 3, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 www@ INVENTOR. Mmc/9M D. MYEES rroeA/Eys.

June 18, 1963 w. D. MYERS 3,094,168

RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER Filed Aug. 5, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ffl/HZ c e ,4free/vers June 18, 1963 w. D. MYERS 3,094,168

RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER Filed Aug. 3, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 GQ ga INVENTOR. WLan/w D. Mme/es MQ @MAQ/MW rroeA/Eys.

June 18, 1963 W. D. MYERS RETRIEVABLE PARALLEL STRING WELL PACKER Filed Aug. 3, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 rroeA/Eys.

United States Patent O 3 094 168 RETRIEVABLE PARAIiLEI: STRING WELL PACKED William D. Myers, Downey, Calif., assignor to Baker 0.1i

T0018, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Califoi-nia Filed Aug. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 831,137 21 Claims. (Cl. 166-118) The present invention relates to subsurface well bore apparatus, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be set in well casings or similar conduit strings disposed in well bores.

A plurality of parallel tubular strings are mounted in a well bore in appropriate association with one or more well packers to conduct liuids through separate paths bctween the top of the well bore and different locations therewithin. The separate paths include individual passages through the well packers, which heretofore have been of a relatively restricted size, limiting the scope of application of the parallel tubular string apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved well packer, or the like, adapted to be set in well casings, or similar conduit strings, and having separate parallel passages therethrough, each of which has a comparatively large diameter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer having separate parallel fluid ow paths or passages therethrough of comparatively large size, the packer being adapted to be anchored in packed-olf condition in a well casing, or similar well conduit, and of being readily retrieved therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well packer having separate parallel passages therethrough and adapted to be set in a well conduit and association with a lower packer in the well conduit, in which either of the passages may be selected to be placed in iiuid communication with the passage through the lower packer.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a well packer having separate parallel passages therethrough and adapted to be set in packed-olf condition in a weil conduit string and retrieved therefrom when desired, the packer being relatively economical to manufacture.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 and 2a together constitute an enlarged longitudinal section through the well packer disclosed in FIG. l with its parts in retracted position, FIG. 2a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 and 3a are views corresponding to FiG. 2 and 2a, respectively, of the well packer anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 4 4 on FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a section through a portion of the apparatus disclosing a tie bar interconnecting the slip ring with a lower connector;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section through a lower portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another form of the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 8a together constitute an enlarged longirice tudinai section through the well packer disclosed in FIG. 7 with its parts in retracted position, PEG. 8a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9 and 9a are views corresponding to FIGS. 8 and 8a, respectively, of the well packer anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing;

FIG. l() is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line lll-10 on FIG. 7;

FIG. ll is a cross-section taken along the line 11-11 on FIG. 8a;

FiG. l2 is a cross-section taken along the line 12-12 on FIG. 8a.

The well packer A disclosed in FIGS. l to 6 of the drawings is adapted to be lowered in a well casing B on a first tubular string C and may be placed in proper association with a lower well packer (not shown) previously set in the well casing. The well packer A has a plurality, such as a pair, of liuid passages 10, 1'1 therethrough, one of which 10 communicates with the rst tubular string C, by means of which the apparatus is lowered in the well casing, and the other of which 11 communicates with a Second tubular string D extending to the top of the well bore. The iiuid derived from the well bore below the lower packer (not shown) may be conducted through either one of the passages 10 or 11 and into either the lrst or second tubular strings C, D to be conducted from the well bore. Some other iiuid, such as derived from a region in the well bore Ybetween the packer A illustrated and the lower packer (not shown) may flow through the other passage 10 or 11 and through the other tubular string C or D to the top of the well bore.

The well packer A includes a pair of parallel tubular body members -or mandrels 12, 13 movable as a unit in the well casing B. A first tubular body member or mandrel 12 passes through an upper connector 14, to which it is threadediy attached. A second tubular body member or mandrel 13 also passes through the upper connector 14 and is threadedly attached thereto. This second mandrel member has a counterbore 1S in its upper portion forming a receptacle for the second tubing string D that is adapted to be lowered in the well casing B and inserted therewithin, The upper end t16 of the second tubular body member or mandrel 13 is threadely attached to a guide or head 17, the first tubular body member 12 extending through this guide and being suitably secured to the first tubular string C, as by means of an intervening coupling 18. The guide or head 17 has a tapered guide surface 19 which diverges in an upward direction from a low point at the tubing receptacle 15 to a high point adjacent the first tubular member 12. More specifically, such tapered guide surface 19 may be conical in shape, being developed about an axis coinciding with the axis of the second body member 13.

The first and second tubular body members or mandrels l2, 13 extend downwardly from the upper connector 14 through a packing structure 20. This packing structure includes an upper insert 21 engaging the lower end of the upper connector 14 and clamped thereagainst by an upper gage ring 22 which is threaded on theupper'connector. The body members 12, 13 extend through parallel bores 23, 24 and an upper packing element 25 of a pliant, elastic material, such as rubber, the upper end of this packing element engaging the lower end of the upper gage ring 22 and its lower end engaging a spacer 26 through which the body members 12, 13 also pass. These body members successively pass downwardly through an intermediate packing element 27, of rubber or rubber-like material, a lower spacer ring 28, and a lower packing element 29 of rubber or rubber-like material. This lower packing element engages a lower gage ring `30 threadedly attached to the upper end of a slip expander 32, the packing element also contacting a lower insert 33 clamped against the upper end of the expander 32 by the lower gage ring 30. The lower insert 33 and expander 32 have parallel bo-res 34, 35 therethrough through which the tubular body members 12, 13 extend. The expander bore 35 through which the secon-d tubular body member 13 extends is larger in diameter than the second tubular body member to enable a retracting ring 36 to slide there-within which is mounted within a peripheral groove 37 in the second body member 13, and which is adapted to engage the lower insert 33 for the purpose of elevating the expander 32 when the second body member 13 is elevated in the well casing B.

Space-d below the expander 32 is a slip ring 38 having parallel bores 39, 40 through which the body members 12, 13 extend, and spaced below the slip ring 38 is a lower connector 41 having parallel bores 42, 43 through which the body members 12, 13 are slidable. This lower connector 41 has a guide ring 44 threaded thereon and is connected to the slip ring 38 by `a pair of longitudinally extending tie rods or bars 45. The lower portions of the tie rods extend through the lower connector 41, Va tie bar shoulder 46 engaging the upper end of this connector, a nut 47 being threaded on the lower end of the tie bar and tightened against the lower end of the connector to firmly secure the tie bar to the latter. The upper end of the tie bar is threadedly secured to the slip ring 38, there being an upper shoulder 48 engaging the lower end of the slip ring. The tie bar has an upper extension or pin 49 projecting upwardly from the slip ring 38, this pin being adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the expander 32 to limit movement of the expander toward the slip ring. It is apparent that the tie bars interconnect the slip ring 38 and lower connector 41 as a rigid unit, so that they move together.

The lower connector 41 has a threaded counterbore 50 surrounding the rst tubular body member 12 and another threaded counterbore 51 surrounding the second tubular body member 13. A bottom sub or actuator 52 is adapted to be threadedly attached to the lower connector 41 in either of these counterbores 50, 51, as desired. When threaded in one of the counterbores, a suitable side seal 53, such as one or more rubber or rubber-like O rings, mounted in a groove 54 in the bottom sub 52 slidably engages the periphery of one of the tubular body memb-ers 12 or 13. A tail pipe 55 is threadedly attached to the bottom sub or actuator 52 and is adapted to coact with the lower packer (not shown) in the well casing B so as to bear thereagainst and prevent further downward movement of the lower connector 41 and slip ring 38 in the well casing, as well as to function as a conductor for the fluid from a region below the lower packer into the particular body member 12 or 13 with which the bottom sub 52 is related, the fluid then passing through one of the tubular strings C or D to the top of the well bore. The other tubular body member 12 or 13 terminates below the lower connector 41 and will receive fluid from a region below the well packer A and conduct such iluid through the body member and through the other tubular string to the top of the well bore.

Displaced from a plane including the axes of the two tubular body members 12, 13, and on opposite sides thereof, are slips 57 carried by the slip ring 38 and adapted to coact with the expander 32. As shown, a pair of slips 57 is disposed on each side of the aforementioned central plane. Each slip is coupled to the slip ring 38 for longitudinal movement therewith, but the slips can move radially of the slip ring from a retracted position into engagement with the well casing B and back to a retracted position. Thus, the lower portions of the slips are formed as T-shaped heads 58 slidably mounted in companion generally T-shaped slots 59 in the slip ring. The upper portions of the slips are constituted as anchoring members 60, having downwardly facing wickers or teeth 61 and inner tapered surfaces 62 inclined in a downward and inward direction, being slidable along companion tapered surfaces 63 in the expander 32. As the expander 32 moves downwardly relative to the slip ring 38 .and the slips 57, the latter are shifted radially outwardly into engagement with the well casing B. Conversely, relative upward movement of the expander with respect to the slip ring and the slips will result in inward movement of the slips 57 from the well casing B. This occurs as a result of providing side tongues 64 on each slip parallel to its tapered surface 62 which ride in companion grooves 65 in the expander 32, forming a slidable tongue and groove connection between the expander and each slip and insuring positive retraction of the slips 57 when the expander 32 moves away from the slip ring 38.

Initially, the slips 57 and packing structure 20 are in their retracted positions, being retained in such positions during lowering of the packer apparatus A in the well casing by a releasable coupling or latch device 66, which is disclosed as specifically interconnecting one of the tubular body members, such as `the first body member 12, with the slip ring 38. The latch device is in the form of a control or latch sleeve 67 threadedly secured to the slip ring and disposed upon an actuating sleeve 68 mounted on the first tubular body member 12 and secured thereto. The actuating sleeve 68 may be made of two halves which are placed around `the first body member 12 with an upper sleeve flange 69 mounted in a peripheral groove 70 in the first body member 12. When the control sleeve 67 is threaded upwardly into the slip ring 38 it will hold the actuating sleeve 68 in coupled position on the first body member 12.

The control sleeve 67 has a plurality of longitudinal slots 71 extending therethrough to form spring-like latch legs 72 that terminate in inwardly directed latch feet 73 disposed below the lower end 74 of the actuating sleeve `68. Such lower end 74 and the upper surfaces of the latch feet 73 have companion tapered surfaces 75 that are inclined in an inward and downward direction, such that downward movement of the sleeve 67 with sufficient force will cam the latch feet 73 and legs 72 outwardly, to free the iirst body member 12 from the slip ring 38. Initially, however, the latch feet 73 are disposed under the actuating sleeve 68 and couple the rst body member 11 to the slip ring 38 and to the slips 57.

The slips 57 are disposed initially in a retracted position, which is also true of the packing structure 20, the latch feet 73 being under the lower end 74 of the actuating slceve 68. The second tubular string D is not in place, but the first tubular string C is threadedly attached to the upper end of the first tubular body member 12. The entire apparatus A is lowered in the well casing with a suitable length of tail pipe S5 extending from the bottom sub or actuator 41. During the lowering movement, the slips 57 remain in their retracted position since the latch or control mechanism 66 causes the slip ring 38 and slips 57 to move downwardly with the body members 12, 13. The expander 32 also moves downwardly with the body members 12, 13, since the ring 36 prevents it from dropping downwardly therealong.

When the lower end of the tail pipe 55 engages the lower packer (not shown) and becomes suitably related thereto in leakproof relation (in a known manner), further downward movement of the tail pipe, the bottom sub 52, lower connector 41 and the slip ring 38 cannot occur. Accordingly, the imposition of a suflicient downward force on the first tubular string C will be transmitted through the rst body member 12 and the actuating sleeve 68 onto the latch legs 73, expanding such legs outwardly (which may occur with a downward force of 2,000 to 4,000 pounds, by way of example), thereby freeing the tubular body member 12 from the slip ring 38. The rst tubular body member 12 can now be shifted downardly, telescoping into the bottom sub 52 and carrying the upper connector 14 and the second body member 13 downwardly with it, since these parts are all securely attached to one another. This downward movement is accomfeet 73 are releasably located under a tapered actuator ring 68a mounted in a peripheral groove 88 in the second body member 13a. When the actuator ring 68a is disposed above the latch feet 73, the second body member 13a is prevented from moving downwardly reative to the first body member 12a. However, when the first body member `is held from moving downwardly by the first tubular string C extending to the top of the well bore, the exertion of a suliicient downward force on the second body member 13a will cause its actuator ring 68a to expand the latch feet 73 out of the way, whereupon the second body member can move downwardly to set the well packer, as described hereinbelow.

The second tubular string D is releiasably latched in the upper portion 16 of the second body or mandrel 13a. Thus, the lower portion 90 of the second tubular string D can extend into the tubing receptacle or mandrel and has an annular rubber or rubber-like seal 91 thereon for sealing engagement with the Wall of the receptacle. The lower portion of the second tubular string D is constituted as la releasable latch device, including a plurality of arms 92 formed by circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 93. The lower ends of these arms 92 are integral with an annular portion 94 adapted to seat against the receptacle shoulder 15a. The intermediate portions of the arms have outwardly directed ngers 95 adapted to engage under `an inwardly directed shoulder 96 of the receptacle. When the lower portion 90 of the second tubular string D is inserted in the receptacle 15, the fingers 95 will engage the upper tapered surface 97 of the shoulder which will deflect the arms inwardly until the fingers ride past the shoulder and snap into the receptacle therebelow (FIG. 8). Similarly, the taking of an upward strain on the second tubular string D of sumcient force will cause the lower tapered surface 98 of the shoulder to engage the fingers 95 and deflect the arms 92 inwardly until the lingers ride past the shoulder, thereby permitting the withdrawal of the second tubular string from the receptacle.

The apparatus is run in the well casing by means of the first tubular string C, which is suitably connected to the first body member 12a. At this time, the latch feet 73 are under the actuator ring 68a to insure that the packing structure is in retracted position and the slips 57 are retracted on the expander 32. At this time, the second tubular string D is not disposed in the receptacle 15. When the location in the well bore is reached at `which the packer is to be set, the second tubular string D is lowered in the Well casing alongside the first tubular string C. Its lower end will engage the guide surface 19 at the upper end of the head 17, which will steer it into the second receptacle 15. A sufficient downward force is imposed on the second tubular string D to force its fingers 95 past the shoulder 96, whereupon the arms 92 will inherently expand outwardly to place the fingers below the shoulder.

The first tubular string C is now held in a fixed position and `a downward force exerted on the second tubular string D which is transferred through the shoulder 15a to the second body member 13a and the upper connector 14a. The force is also transmitted from the actuator ring 68a to the latch feet 23, expanding them outwardly and allowing the second body member 13a to move downwardly relative to the first body member 12a. 'I'he slip ring 38a is prevented from moving downwardly by the coupling ring 80 on the first tubular string 12a, which then permits the downward movement of the release-d second tubular string D to be transferred through the upper connector 14a and the entire packing structure 20 to the expander 32, moving the expander downwardly relative to the slips 57 and forcing the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B. A continuation of the movement of the upper connector 14a towards the expander 32 will then foreshorten the packing structure v20 and expand the rubber or rubberalike packing elements 25, 27, 29 outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing.

It is apparent that the packer has been anchored in packed-off condition without the necessity for resting a tail pipe on a lower packer (not shown). Of course, a tail pipe can still be used in association with either of the body members 12a, 13a, as in the other form of the invention, or for that matter, two tail pipes can be used. If only one tail pipe is used it may be placed in appropriate position within a lower packer (not shown), but need not necessarily rest thereon.

In the event it is desired to retrieve the tubular strings C, D and the well packer, an upward pull is taken on the second tubular string D which will be exerted through the latch fingers 95 and shoulder 96 on the second body mem.- ber 13a, elevating the upper connector 14a from the expander to permit the packing structure 20 to shift inherently to its retracted position. The retracting ring 36 on the second body member will then engage the insert 33 to elevate the expander 32 relative to the slips 57 and slip ring 38a, causing the slips to be shifted to their retracted positions. When the second body member 13a has moved upwardly sufficiently in which both the packing structure 20 and the slips 57 are in their retracted positions, the actuator ring 68a will be shifted back upwardly within the latch feet 73 and thereabove, so as to releasably hold the parts in their retracted positions.

A sutiicient upward pull is taken on the second tubular string D to cause its lingers 95 to ride past the receptacle shoulder 96, thereby releasing it from the second body member 13a. This tubular string D can now be removed from the well bore, after which the first tubular string C can be elevated in the Well bore or casing B, to remove the well packer therefrom, if desired.

Another manner of releasing the packer from its set condition in the well casing is to take an upstrain on the second tubular string D While its fingers 95 are disposed under the shoulder 96 and impose a downward force on the first tubular string C and the first body 12a. This downward force will be transferred through the coupling ring to the slip ring retainer 84 and the slip ring 38a, pulling the slips downwardly of the expander 32 and to a retracted position.

In the event that difiiculty is encountered in releasing the packer apparatus, a sufficient pull should be taken on the second tubular string D to unlatch it from the receptacle 15 and this string removed to the top of the hole. A sufficient upstrain is then taken on the first tubular string C, and when this strain exceeds the shear strain of the shear flange 83 (which, for example, may be of the order of 20,000 pounds) the liange is disrupted from the remainder of the shear sleeve 82 which will allow the first body member 12a to move upwardly through the packer, until the coupling ring 80 engages the insert 33 disposed within the lower gage ring 30 that is secured to the expander 32. A continuation of the upward movement on the first tubular string C and the first body member 12a will then move the expander 32 upwardly of the sllps 57, thereby releasing the latter from the casing B. The packer apparatus can now be removed from the well bore by elevating the first tubular string C.

The inventor claims:

l. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members; slip means engageable with and movable with respect to said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative movement between said expander and slip means in one direction; and co-engageable, releasable and reengageable latch means on said slip means and one of said body members for preventing such relative movement, said latch means being releasable to permit such relative movement.

2. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in one direction; coengaging means on said slips and expander for retracting lsaid slips upon their relative longitudinal movement in the opposite direction; and releasable and reengageable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in said one direction.

3. ln a well tool adapted to be disposed `in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; .an expander through which said body members pass; la slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, such slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in one direction; coengaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon their relative longitudinal movement in the opposite direction; means for preventing longitudinal movement of said slip ring and slips; means for transmitting the motion of said body members to said expander to expand said slips latterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in said one direction.

4. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, such slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in one direction; coengaging means on said slips and expander for retraeting said slips upon their relative longitudinal movement in the opposite direction; means for preventing longitudinal movement of said slip ring and slips; normally retracted packing means through which said tubular members pass disposed between said securing means and expander for transmitting the joint motion of said securing means and body members to said expander to expand said slips laterally outwardly, movement of said securing means with said body members toward said expander expanding said packing means laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in said one direction.

5. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular members; means securing said members together; an expander through which said body members pass; slip means engageable with and movable with respect to said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slip means in one direction; normally retracted packing means through which said tubular members pass disposed between said securing means and expander for transmitting the joint motion of said securing means and body members to said expander to expand said slip means laterally outwardly, movement of said securing means with said body members toward said expander expanding said packing means laterally outwardly; and co-engageable, releasable means on said slip means and one of said body members for preventing such relative movement, release of said releasable means permitting such relative movement.

6. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a Well bore:

a pair of parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members through which said body members pass; a slip ring below and movable relative to said expander; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander with respect to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander with respect to said slips; and releasable and reengageable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said sli s.

1;. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, such slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; means for preventing downward movement of said slip ring and slips; means for transmitting the downward motion of said body members to said expander to expand said slips laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips.

8. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, such slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; means for preventing downward movement of said slip ring and slips; normally retracted packing means through which said tubular members pass disposed between said securing means and expander for transmitting joint downward motion of said securing means and body members to said expander to expand said slips laterally outwardly, downward movement of said securing means with said body members toward said expander expanding said packing means laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips.

9. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular body members; means securing said members together; an expander through which said body members pass; slip means below and movable relative to said expand-er and engageable therewith to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander along said slip means; normally retracted packing means through which said tubular members pass disposed between said securing means and expander for transmitting joint downward motion of said securing means and body members to said expander to expand said slip means laterally outwardly, downward movement of said securing means with said body members toward said expander expanding said packing means laterally outwardly; and co-engageable releasable means on said slip means and one of said body members for 10. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well spaanse bore: generally parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members; slip means engageable with and movable with respect to said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slip means; and coengageable releasable and reengageable latch means on said slip means and `one of said body members for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slip means.

1l. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; a connector secured to said slip ring through which said tubular body members pass; a tubular member receiving one of said body members and secured to said connector; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips.

12. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; a connector secured to said slip ring through which said tubular body members pass; said connector having a threaded bore surrounding each of said body members; a tubular member threadedly secured in one of said bores; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips.

13. In a Well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; a connector secured to said slip ring through which said tubular members pass; a tubular member receiving one of said body members and secured to said connector; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; normally retracted packing means through which said tubular body members pass disposed between said securing means and expander for transmitting downward motion of said body members to said expander to expand said slips laterally outwardly, downward movement of said securing means toward said expander expanding said packing means laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips.

14. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular tbody members; an expander on said body members; slip means engageable with and movable with respect to said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative movement between said expander and slip means in one direction; co-engageable,

releasable latch means on said slip means and one of said body members for preventing such relative movement, said latch means being releasable to permit such relative movement; and a guide secured to the upper end of one of said body members and through which the other body member extends.

l5. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, such slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; means for preventing downward movement of said slip ring and slips; means for transmitting the joint downward motion of said securing means and body members to said expander to expand said slips laterally outwardly; releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; and a guide secured to the upper end of one of said body members and through which the other body member extends.

16. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members; means securing said body members together; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; a connector secured to said slip ring through which said tubular members pass; a tubular member receiving one of said body members and secured to said connector; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; co-engaging means on said slips and expander for retracting said slips upon upward movement of said expander relative to said slips; normally retracted packing means through which said tubular body members pass disposed between said securing means and expander for transmitting downward motion of said body members to said expander to expand said slips laterally outwardly, downward movement of said securing means toward said expander expanding said packing means laterally outwardly; releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said expander relative to said slips; and a guide secured to the upper end of one of said body members and through which the other body member extends.

l7. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular body members; an expander on said body members; slip means engageable with and movable with respect to said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative movement between said expander and slip means; means on one of said body members for shifting said expander in one direction upon movement of said one body member in said one direction; means on the other of said body members for shifting said slip means relatively in the opposite direction; and coengageable, releasable latch means on one of said body members and slip means for preventing relative movement of said slip means and expander to prevent outward expansion of said slip means.

1S. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular body members movable longitudinally with respect to each other; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative longitudinal movement between said expander and slips in one direction; means for transmitting the longitudinal movement of one of said body members in one -direction to said expander; means for transmitting the longitudinal movement of the other of said body members in the opposite direction to said slip ring, whereby relative longitudinal motion of said body members in opposite directions expands said slips laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging one of said body members and slip ring for preventing such relative longitudinal movement of said body members in opposite directions.

19. In a well tool adapted to be dispos-ed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular b-ody members movable longitudinally with respect `to each other; an expander on said body members; slip means engageable with and movable with respect to said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative movement between said expander and slip means; means for transmitting the longitudinal motion of one of said body members in one direction to said expander; means for transmitting the longitudinal motion of the other of said body members in the opposite direction to said slips, whereby relative longitudinal movement of said body members in opposite directions expand said slips laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging said one body member and slip means for preventing movement of said body members in opposite directions.

20. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: a pair of parallel tubular `body members movable longitudinally with respect to each other; an expander through which said body members pass; a slip ring movable relative to said expander and below said expander through which said body members pass; slips coupled to said ring for longitudinal movement therewith and lateral movement with respect thereto, said slips engaging said expander to be expanded laterally outwardly upon relative downward movement of said expander and upward movement of said slips; means for transmitting the downward motion of one of said body members to said expander; means for transmitting the upward motion of the other of said body members to said slip ring, whereby downward motion of said one `body member relative to said other body member expands said slips laterally outwardly; and releasable means engaging said one body member and slip ring for preventing downward movement of said one body member relative `to said other body member.

21. In a well tool adapted to be disposed in a well bore: generally parallel tubular body members; normally retraeted packing means through which said members pass; an expander on said body members below sai-d packing means; slip means below said expander engageable with and movable relative to said expander to `be expanded thereby laterally outwardly upon downward movement of said expander relative to said slip means; means on said body members for relatively moving said normally retracted packing means and expander downwardly of said slip means to expand said packing means and slip means outwardly; and releasable latch means on said slip means and one of said body members for preventing such relative movement, said latch means being releasable to permit such relative movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 13,457 Hovis Aug. 13, 1912 1,035,850 Black Aug. 20, 1912 2,121,050 Ragan et al June 2l, 1938 2,577,068 Baker Dec. 4, 1951 2,765,853 Brown Oct. 9, 1956 2,791,277 Ilfrey et al May 7, 1957 2,902,093 Brown Sept. 1, 1959 2,903,066 Brown Sept. 8, 1959 2,950,761 Browne et al Aug. 30, 1960 2,966,216 Bigelow Dec. 27, 1960 

1. IN A WELL TOOL ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE: GENERALLY PARALLEL TUBULAR BODY MEMBERS; AN EXPANDER ON SAID BODY MEMBERS; SLIP MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH AND MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID EXPANDER TO BE EXPANDED LATERALLY OUTWARDLY UPON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID EXPANDER AND SLIP MEANS IN ONE DIRECTION; AND CO-ENGAGEABLE, RELEASABLE AND REENGAGEABLE LATCH MEANS ON SAID SLIP MEANS AND ONE OF SAID BODY MEMBERS FOR PREVENTING SUCH RELA- 